Tuesday, October 23, 2007

A Thank You Note

Continuing the theme of gratitude, I am thinking of all the friends and family members who have been there for us over the years and I feel so grateful. We had a beautiful baby shower last summer thrown by two close friends. So many people came and brought wonderful gifts for the baby. Over my pregnancy we received several handmade blankets, handmade hats and a handmade set by my aunt of booties, a bonnet, a sweater, and a blanket. We got so many clothes, books, and toys, both new and handed down that we didn't have to buy anything for about the first six months, except for diapers. We had meals brought to us for weeks while we rested with our new baby. Friends came to help us clean and spend time with Willow so that we could sleep. Two friends who live nearby have opened their home to my parents when they visit, and brought us meals every Sunday for about 2 months. Both grandmothers came to visit after Daddy went back to work, and helped with chores and made meals while I cared for Willow. Brent waited on me and Willow hand and foot the first two weeks, doing laundry, cooking, and walking the dog. Neighborhood friends from where I grew up gathered to celebrate Willow's birth, and friends of my mother's held a shower as well.

I remain in awe of the generosity and love that surrounds each of us. Thank you.

One Tin Soldier

Listen, children, to a storyThat was written long ago,'Bout a kingdom on a mountainAnd the valley-folk below.

On the mountain was a treasureBuried deep beneath the stone,And the valley-people sworeThey'd have it for their very own.

Go ahead and hate your neighbor,Go ahead and cheat a friend.Do it in the name of Heaven,You can justify it in the end.There won't be any trumpets blowingCome the judgement day,On the bloody morning after....One tin soldier rides away.

So the people of the valleySent a message up the hill,Asking for the buried treasure,Tons of gold for which they'd kill.

Came an answer from the kingdom,"With our brothers we will shareAll the secrets of our mountain,All the riches buried there."

Now the valley cried with anger,"Mount your horses! Draw your sword!"And they killed the mountain-people,So they won their just reward.

Now they stood beside the treasure,On the mountain, dark and red.Turned the stone and looked beneath it..."Peace on Earth" was all it said.

Go ahead and hate your neighbor,Go ahead and cheat a friend.Do it in the name of Heaven,You can justify it in the end.There won't be any trumpets blowingCome the judgement day,On the bloody morning after....One tin soldier rides away.

Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.Where there is hatred, let me sow love;where there is injury,pardon;where there is doubt, faith;where there is despair, hope;where there is darkness, light;and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seekto be consoled as to console;to be understood as to understand;to be loved as to love.For it is in giving that we receive;it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.